Latest coach in Miami's cradle changing 'everything'

Courtesy of Miami UniversityMichael Haywood is 0-2 as coach at Miami-Ohio. His RedHawks take on Western Michigan Saturday.

OXFORD, Ohio -- In the midst of the daily headaches that come with "trying to change the culture" of a football program, Michael Haywood was reminded this week that it's only the most recent of Miami-Ohio's culture that he's trying to change.

"Hey, make sure you tell Mike that Bo lost his first three games, too," one of Haywood's assistants was told. " ... And tell him Bo won his first game against Xavier and they're not even playing football anymore."

"Bo", of course, is Bo Schembechler, one of several legendary figures that has given Miami football its reputation as "The Cradle of Coaches."

It was a welcomed moment of levity in the midst of a brutal start to Haywood's head coaching career and tenure at Miami-Ohio, which is 0-2 heading into Saturday night's game at Western Michigan University.

If the RedHawks 90-0 two-game deficit isn't daunting enough, a stroll down the hall will put Haywood in his place.

Schembechler, Woody Hayes, Paul Brown and Ara Parseghian -- all of whom either coached, played or did both in Oxford -- stare back at Haywood, as do photos of Bill Mallory, Randy Walker and Terry Hoeppner.

"To walk down the halls every day and see all the great coaches who have coached here ... all the great assistants who have gone on to other places -- it's a great opportunity," Haywood said.

A different reality hits, however, by the time Haywood steps on the practice field. The only remnants of the storied history and not-so distant glory days of Miami football are the uniforms and a few seniors who were recruited back when the RedHawks were going to bowl games.

"It's an uphill battle," said the 45-year-old Haywood, most recently an assistant at Notre Dame, after stints at Texas, LSU, Ball State, Ohio, Army and Minnesota. "We're trying to change the culture of the program, change everyday life and how each kid deals with it.

"It's everything in life. It's starting when they get up in the morning, going to breakfast, eating right, going to class, handling themselves in the right way, introducing themselves to the professor, sitting in the front of the class room. ... I'm trying to change the culture from chasing eligibility to chasing a degree."

What was left to Haywood after four years of the Shane Montgomery regime is not too dissimilar from the project Broncos coach Bill Cubit faced almost five years ago -- minus the help of Greg Jennings. Off the field, there is resistance. On the field, resistance is made worse by the lack of talent at certain positions.

Adding to the suffering is Miami's schedule, which began with Kentucky, then took the RedHawks to Boise State and features two more road games before the true home opener -- against defending Big East champ Cincinnati.

"We have to change the whole mindset," Haywood said. "I'm not saying it was right or wrong, but it's not what we're looking for as a staff. ... Offensively, we're trying to change the culture to be able to run the football, be a physical, punishing attack. The mentality of this football team is to pass protect. All they want to do is drop back, pass protect and draw (plays).

"There's no consistent talent. We're loaded at one position and have no talent absolutely whatsoever at another position."

And, unfortunately for Haywood and Miami, Xavier isn't on the schedule.